Group | Co-Op IT​/Sys Admin | Optical Systems Group

CO-OP Student – IT / Systems Administrator (Active Optical Systems Group)

Date:
Feb 24, 2026

Location:

Lexington, MA, US

Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory

The Active Optical Systems Group at MIT Lincoln Laboratory develops cutting‑edge optical and infrared sensor technologies for national security applications, including laser radar (LADAR) and advanced imaging sensors. The group works on exciting projects in surveillance, mapping and threat detection.

As an undergraduate co‑op, you will gain hands‑on experience and collaborate with top researchers. The position reports to a Northeastern alumnus who completed all three of his co‑ops in this group, providing valuable mentorship and insight into the work. This is a unique opportunity to build skills and grow a network in a dynamic, high‑impact environment.

• Support day‑to‑day IT needs, including troubleshooting and system maintenance.
• Install, configure, and troubleshoot Windows and Linux operating systems.
• Manage network configurations and ensure software licenses are up to date.
• Assist with implementing security measures in line with government and laboratory policies.

• Currently enrolled in an accredited Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Networking or IT degree program with a GPA of 3.3 or higher.
• Completed at least 1–2 years of undergraduate study or equivalent prior to employment.
• Knowledgeable of Windows, Windows Server, Unix/Linux, and macOS operating systems.
• Basic understanding of diagnosing and resolving hardware, software and networking challenges.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Eagerness to learn and take initiative.
• Willingness to take on new challenges and drive tasks forward with minimal direction.

• Experience with desktop hardware and software applications such as Office, OS imaging (e.g., Kickstart, Microsoft Deployment Toolkit) and Bit Locker.
• Working knowledge of scripting languages such as bash, Perl or Python.
• Work experience in mission‑critical environments.

By the end of the co‑op, you will have gained hands‑on experience in developing and supporting rapid, field‑deployable systems. You will know how to configure and troubleshoot complex network infrastructures, maintain and optimize operating systems, and ensure systems are ready for real‑time deployment. You will also gain insight into how these systems support critical national security applications, strengthening your skills in system administration and deployment in high‑stakes, fast‑paced settings.

Compensation for 2025 (will be reviewed for 2026)

• Technical Co‑Op: $24.50 – $31.00 per hour (based on year in school)
• Administrative Co‑Op: $21.50 – $25.00 per hour (based on year in school)

Selected candidates will be subject to a pre‑employment background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret level DoD security clearance.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or genetic information; U.S. citizenship is required.

Requisition : 42733